EGreen Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I have a chance to pick up some hydraulic cylinders that have been replaced by a tractor dealership. what metal are the rams made from and what uses can I get out of them. not sure what sizes. I figger from 1' plus and up to 1 1/2" just guessin. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 not sure, I'd guess that each manufacturer has their own preference, but depending on the size you can build an air hammer with them. hydraulic cylinders can be used pneumaticaly. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beammeupscotty Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I imagine they must be a pretty tough steel so they would probably make nice hammer heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricJergensen Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 The plating is a problem. Chrome plating is not your friend (and there is nickel under that IIRC). Burning the chrome off will create hexavalent chromium. Nickel isn't as dangerous (IIRC). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakksmyth Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 From what I've found out on various machining forums, the shaft material is either 4140 high tensile or 1045 carbon steel. Most commonly chrome plated or nitrided, for environmental reasons. Either one will make good hammer making stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I've found that either make great hammers...if you quench them in water. Should you quench with oil, you will be disappointed and end up with a beater hammer. I stopped tempering as well as both materials just don't get very hard. Our local welding shop used to straighten bent shafts as loggers are notorious for equipment abuse. They wouldn't do Cat shafts as they were too hard and wouldn't bend under the 100t press. The guys used to stand way off to the side when attempting to do so. My Saymak dies are 4140 and I've surface ground and re-hardened them twice in water with no temper and they still developed a saddle. Saymak went cheap and should've used s7 or h13. I went a few rounds with Grant Sarver and he finally admitted that larger sections of 4140 should be quenched in water. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 The chrome can either be turned off in a lathe, or ground off. I prefer turning it, as it is easier on the lungs and doesn't make as big of a mess. Chrome is very hard, so you want to get under it with the lathe tool, not skim it. Another option would be to see if a chrome shop will deplate them, this only works if you have a local shop, as shipping would be cost prohibitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 If the cylinders are marked, contact the manufacturer for specs. I have done that for other items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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